Effects of Reiki on stress, anxiety, and depression: an observational study of undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the effects of Usui Reiki on levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate nursing students, comparing two delivery modalities: single-session (sporadic application) and continuous (four consecutive days), delivered remotely in group sessions. METHODS: this quasi-experimental study included 16 undergraduate nursing students from a private university in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The PSS-14, the HAM-A, the MDI, and salivary cortisol concentration were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc test, and chi-square test), with significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: stress scores decreased significantly from 27.75 to 22.81 (p = 0.0034), anxiety scores from 19.06 to 11.31 (p = 0.0279), and depressive symptom scores decreased by 25%. Subscales-emotional stress, psychological anxiety, "lack of energy," and "feelings of guilt"-showed improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Usui Reiki demonstrated effectiveness as a complementary practice for student mental health, with greater benefits observed with continuous application.